“The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening. When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, “What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?” Moses answered him, “Because the people come to me to seek God’s will. Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God’s decrees and instructions.” Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him. Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave. But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter because they will share it with you. If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.” Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said.” (Exodus 18:13-24 NIV)
There are two sides of advice, one side is where you receive the advice, and the other side is where you give the advice. We find ourselves at some time or the other on one of the two sides. The text above is “long” for a morning meditation, so let this Biblical account suffice as the story part of today’s edition of Mark Writes.
I’m sure that you have already ascertained, since you read the title, what is in this for you. Still, give me the chance to expound on your suspicion. First of all, know that there are times when we need a fellow traveler on this journey in life to intervene and provide prudent advice that will help improve our circumstance or condition. In our text, Moses was in that position, trying to take on all the work alone. His intention was good. He wanted to help the people, but he needed a better method to meet the needs of the many of which he had be given charge. Jethro steps in to give advice. Let’s look at what he does. (1) He starts with a question, as opposed to an accusation and this gets the ear of Moses. By doing this Jethro is involving Moses in the problem solving. (2) He engages in a dialogue with Moses and speaks with integrity and it seems from the text, he speaks with the right tone. Speaking with the right tone keeps the dialogue going. (3) He listens to Moses. When you are on the advice- giving side, use your listening skills, without interruption. (4) Jethro qualifies what he has to say as “advice,” realizing that Moses, as led by God, would have to decide whether to make any changes based on the advice. (5) Moses’ father-in-law shows compassion and concern: “The work is too heavy for you.” (6) Jethro’s advice is well thought out. He shows us that just “shooting from the hip” and saying whatever, is never the way to give advice. (7) Jethro recognizes his advice is not the final word, but brings God into the picture, “If you do this and God so commands…” From Jethro we learn a good approach for giving advice. This is knowledge that can be applied in the church, in corporate domains, in the comfort of home, and in compassionately helping a fellow sojourner in this barren land. Now, let’s look at the other side of advice.
Look what Moses does: (1) He describes his presumed role and intentions. (2) He does not let his position keep him from listening to the advice. (3) He does not let his ego get in the way of responding to the advice. (4) He does not walk away from Jethro with an air of superiority. (5) He obviously understands that Jethro both his interest and the people in mind. (6) He takes the time to process the advice given him, but he does so quickly. (7) Moses follows Jethro’s advice.
Since seven symbolizes completion, we have set out a thorough view of both sides of advice. Let’s see if we can apply what we have learned when the time for giving and/or receiving advice comes up. Tomorrow, we will look at how Moses uses delegation, somewhat of a sequel. Perhaps that will help us as well. All Scripture is profitable! Be blessed!
“Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.” (Proverbs 19:20-21 KJV)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King